Light Fortress Chapter 1916 - 10: Stranger City_2

Commanded by the Divine Throne, serving the Source Tower... Even the lowest ranking priest has Qinglong as their backing, which hirers dare not offend under any circumstances.

The Awakening Bill was successfully enacted, and a massive number of Transcendents emerged. The Source Tower’s resources are limited, so the number of priests will not expand because of this.

But for hirers... it’s quite the opposite.

In the future, countless hirers will certainly compete to join the ranks of major corporations.

If Gu Li doesn’t quickly find a reliable "backing," his good days will only last for a few years.

"Going to Upper City?"

Gu Li frowned, puzzled, and said: "What are you going to such a place for? You’re not planning to report about the ’Ye Kaluo’ matter to the authorities, are you?"

"..."

Chi Shou was silent for two seconds, then said: "This matter has been dragging on, it’s not a solution."

He graduated from Holy Cross Academy and came to Rhein City a few years ago to complete the law enforcement tasks assigned by the Academy.

These past few years, Chi Shou’s tasks have gone smoothly.

He has shined brightly in Rhein City.

Some people make a grand entrance, showing talent from the start, while others initially appear ordinary, making steady progress and reaching greater heights over time.

Chi Shou belongs to the latter; due to his "outstanding performance" these years, the Academy’s high-level authorities have noticed this young person who was the first among his graduates to advance to the fourth rank.

Crash!

Gu Li’s eyes widened, and the wine glass in his hand slipped and shattered on the ground.

"You’re crazy, are you really planning to plead with the authorities?"

"This return trip was initiated by Upper City calling for me."

Chi Shou shook his head and said, "The Academy probably has another mission to assign me... It might be related to Ye Kaluo or another matter. Regardless, I am certain I will meet the responsible high-level authorities."

"Hey, Chi—"

Gu Li and Chi Shou have worked together for a while.

Though there was previously hidden tension, since the Awakening Bill passed, the tension between them has not been as intense.

Now, due to the importance of the matter, he no longer uses a sarcastic tone to mockingly address "Mr. Chi," but changes his approach to seriously advise: "You should know our positions, and what status those big figures in Upper City have... I know you have a proper background, unlike me, a commoner, but in the eyes of the ’upper-class people,’ we are actually no different."

"Ha..."

It’s the first time Chi Shou saw Gu Li’s serious face; he faintly smiled and with self-deprecation said, "What proper background? My background is much the same as yours."

Both are small figures without backgrounds.

It’s just that...

He worked harder and was luckier, enabling him to enter the Source Tower and occupy his current position.

"If my guess is correct, this time going to Upper City, you will likely ’get promoted’."

Gu Li lowered his voice, pressing both hands on Chi Shou’s shoulders: "I know you and I aren’t close enough for heartfelt advice, but now I’m laying it out for you: defying Upper City’s orders is beheading. What happens in Rhein City, the authorities see it more clearly than anyone else."

"..."

"If you go to Upper City and meet the high-level power holders, you must handle this case neatly. Do not exonerate this woman. If you infuriate those above, your future and career will all be gone."

Gu Li’s concern is not solely for Chi Shou.

But also for himself.

With Rhein City’s situation stable, his good days can last long.

"How I choose... is not for you to worry about."

Chi Shou responded indifferently.

Though his tone was cold.

Yet deep down, he felt a bit bitter.

Never expected that before his departure, someone would offer him such advice.

"During this period, matters in Rhein City will be managed by you... The priests sent by Upper City will also be under your command."

Chi Shou hesitated for two seconds, then solemnly said: "If I succeed in ’getting promoted’ during this trip to Upper City, I will recommend you to the Source Tower. Then you can change your ’hirer’ status and truly become part of the priest team."

"...?" Gu Li was taken aback, his eyes immediately showing joy.

Despite spending a lifetime navigating the system, that statement was spoken without any manipulation.

"I shall take this seriously; Mr. Chi must get promoted."

Gu Li hurriedly agreed, not one to miss such an opportunity.

"But when I return, she must be unharmed."

Shifting his tone, Chi Shou glanced toward Ye Kaluo’s direction, putting on a fierce face: "While I’m not here, no matter who comes from Upper City, don’t let them see Ye Kaluo. Even if she is guilty, even if she is to be executed, it should be handled by me."

Upon hearing this.

Gu Li’s smile stiffened.

He always felt this Chi kid is good in every way, but suffers from being overly principled, too compliant, too humane.

Exchanging one head for a thousand gold future, how many would dream of such a chance?

If it were him, he wouldn’t hesitate.

...

...

After a round of instructions, Chi Shou leaves Rhein overnight.

He’s not worried Gu Li will execute Ye Kaluo... From their interaction during this period, he understands Gu Li’s nature well.

There are people as clear as rivers, and those as murky as silt.

Gu Li is the latter type of "small person." People like this survive by clawing up from the bottom, striving only to live better.

He seems ruthless, willing to lose everything, but it’s all a facade.

Such people are most fearful of death.

Such people also cherish opportunities the most.

And currently, he is the only chance Gu Li can grasp.

Behind Gu Li is the Red Wine Group.

Red Wine has given Gu Li the identity of "temporary priest," granted him temporary management of Rhein City... On the surface, all seems grand and decent, but attaching "temporary" means it’s not genuine trust.

In reality, within the hirer relationship, there is no such thing as trust.

Gu Li knows deep down he’s just a dog of the Red Wine Group.

When the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog gets cooked.

If there was true sincerity, they would grant "formal priest" titles.

Currently, the Red Wine Group didn’t give what he needed.

Chi Shou did...

Though it’s only a promise.

But this promise is already sufficient.

Gu Li excels at "tailing," and now being busy with affairs, even if Upper City sends an envoy to oversee this case, he has a way to delay the "Ye Kaluo case" until Chi Shou returns for further handling.

...

...

Five years without returning to Upper City.

This "homecoming," Chi Shou felt a wave of unfamiliarity towards the city before him.

Perhaps due to the Awakening Bill.

The streets had few pedestrians, numerous hovercraft suspended in the sky, though most of these hovercraft were empty...

Neon flickered, the deep night streets seemed bustling yet were actually very desolate.

Five years ago, Upper City wasn’t like this. Chi Shou remembered leaving on a night like this, with Upper City’s streets full of people and noisy chatter, now replaced by the patter of rain.

Rain sound?

Chi Shou recalled that Upper City never rained.

He raised his head, looking at the gray sky, the brilliance of stars unseen, countless threads of rain falling like needle and thread.

A muffled blast "boom."

A pitch-black umbrella opened above Chi Shou’s head.

Chi Shou turned around, stunned for a second.

"... Teacher."

Chi Shou’s voice was somewhat hoarse; he withdrew from under the umbrella and respectfully saluted his teacher.

He studied at Holy Cross Academy.

This academy produced much of the Central Continent’s exceptional elite, and Chi Shou’s teacher was a Titled Transcendent on par with [Giant Moon] Meriz, [Sky Blade] Wang Chong.

Central Continent always discriminates on skin color, so Chi Shou has been bullied.

King Chong, with half East Continent blood, took him in and carefully nurtured him.

It can be said...

Without Wang Chong, there’d be no him.

Chi Shou didn’t expect his teacher would personally greet him upon arriving in Upper City.

Returning after five years.

The Upper City before him was already a completely unfamiliar city.

But fortunately, the teacher’s face remained that familiar face.